Illa Glòries, a project of 51 social housing units with a CLT structure

The new emblem of public housing in Barcelona
Promoted by the Institut Municipal de l'Habitatge de Barcelona (IMHAB), the Illa Glòries project has already become emblematic. The architects of Cierto Estudio (Marta Benedicto, Ivet Gasol, Carlota de Gispert, Anna Llonch, Lucia Millet and Clara Vidal), with the collaboration of Franc Llonch, were the winners of the competition organised in 2017 for the planning of the plot and block A. In their proposal 'La Comunitat Habitacional', the CLT is the protagonist.

Sustainability and avant-garde: a milestone of contemporary Spanish architecture
The project, in the centre of Barcelona, ​​is one of the most important milestones of contemporary Spanish architecture, not only for its design, but for what it represents at a constructive level. The block designed by Cierto Estudio (together with Franc Llonch) is part of a public housing complex that has broken sustainability records. What makes this project an absolute reference is precisely its radical commitment to the CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) structure.

CLT Structure: The Cross-Laminated Timber Revolution at Height
In Illa Glòries, wood is not a decorative element; it is the load-bearing skeleton. The use of CLT panels allows the building to function as an assembly of high-precision, dry-assembled parts.
-Lightness and Strength: CLT is much lighter than concrete, allowing for less invasive foundations and excellent elastic behaviour under structural stresses.
-Negative Carbon Footprint: The choice of CLT reduces the ecological footprint of the building by minimising structural weight, the use of non-renewable materials and water consumption on site. Furthermore, it meets NZEB (nearly zero energy buildings) standards, integrating strategies such as cross ventilation, passive solar protection and green roofs.

Category : Living
Application: Structure
Materials: CLT Xilonor
Photographer: José Hevia